No matter the field of work, overseas employment has always been an attractive option for people around the world. Doctors, nurses, engineers, skilled workers, freelancers, and those in the creative field have opportunities that await them outside their own countries. Some want to work overseas to start a new career, while some just want to work in a different environment, climate, or culture.
If you are planning on working or traveling to Australia, read our article to understand the different ways you can obtain the travel documents pertinent to the current pandemic such as the 408 Visa for COVID-19, the General Skilled Migration (GSM) Visa, and the Working Holiday Visa of the Subclass 417. You may also opt to hire our services at UIS Australia to streamline and expedite your COVID-19 Visa Australia application. Don’t worry, we wouldn’t ask you to engage a Kangaroo in kickboxing.
Table of Contents
Australia’s Charm to Foreigners
Australia is one of the top countries that attract immigrants for employment. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), there were over 7.5 million migrants in Australia as of 2019. Further data showed that 29.7% of Australia’s current population were born overseas, reinforcing Australia’s allure to foreigners (it’s probably the beautiful women and handsome men).
According to the ABS, immigrants came mostly from England, followed by China, and India. This isn’t surprising because historically, more people have immigrated to Australia than emigrated from the country. This has created a sort of snowball effect where the high migration incidence further attracts migrants from all around the world. At the current state of the world, you would need a 408 Visa for COVID-19, also known as Temporary Activity Visa (subclass 408) to be able to work in the country.
Of course, let’s not forget about the beauty of Australia’s environment. Despite the internet’s humorous fear of unusual species native to the country, foreigners can’t seem to get enough of the tropical climate. So, whether you plan to study, work, or just spend leisure time in the country, you should get a COVID-19 Visa Australia.
Stay Informed About the 408 Visa For COVID-19
This travel document is formally known as the Temporary Activity Visa (Subclass 408) and is issued by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) of the Australian Government. True to its name, it is a nonpermanent visa that permits your stay in Australia. We have compiled relevant information for those who wish to apply for one.
Duration of Stay
The length of allowed stay depends on the industry/sector that you are working in. Those who are employed in the critical sector are given up to twelve months, while those who are not may only stay for up to three months.
If you have a 408 Visa for COVID-19 that is nearing its expiration, you may be eligible for another if you wish to remain in Australia to continue working for the critical sector/industry, or if you are unable to leave Australia before the expiration due to current COVID-19 travel restrictions.
What the COVID-19 Visa Australia Will Allow You to Do
This travel document will allow you to remain in the country if you currently have no other visa options, and are not able to leave the country due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. The document will also allow you to remain in the country to continue working in identified critical sectors/ industries — food processing, agriculture, health care, disability care, aged care, and child care.
I Work in the Critical Sector, What Other Things Should I Secure for the Visa?
If you work in the identified critical sectors/ industries, you must have documents proving your employment, or documents proving that you have an offer of employment from a critical sector/ industry company and that no Australian citizen or permanent resident is able to fill the position.
Eligibility Requirements
You must be in Australia
You must have a valid visa or a visa which has expired not more than 28 days ago
You must be able to financially support yourself and your dependents
You must meet the health requirements set forth by the MHA. This includes a health check
You and your family members aged 16 years old and above must meet the MHA’s character requirements.
You must have adequate health insurance, and apply/ arrange for one if you do not already have one
You must be a Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE), which means that the 408 Visa For COVID-19 shall not be used to maintain a residence in the country
You must have paid back any outstanding debt to the Australian Government (or at least have a formal arrangement to pay it back)
You must not have had a prior visa canceled or visa application refused
You must sign the Australian Values Statement. This will ensure that you will respect the Australian way of life and obey the laws
My Departure from Australia Was Delayed Due to Travel Restrictions, How Do I Apply for the Visa?
When applying for a COVID-19 Visa Australia, you should tell the MHA why and how current travel restrictions from both Australia and your destination country impede your departure. You should also have a substantive visa expiring in not more than 28 days or a substantive visa that has expired not more than 28 days ago.
Other Australian Visas Which Allow Foreigners to Enter Amidst the Pandemic
The Temporary Activity Visa (Subclass 408) is not the only travel document that will give foreigners entry to the country amidst the pandemic. The two others are the General Skilled Migration (GSM) Visa and the Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417).
General Skilled Migration Visa (GSM Visa)
This type of Visa is best for those who wish to permanently live and work in the country. This can also be given to individuals who are able to secure a sponsorship from an Australian employer. There are different kinds of visa under the GSM category, these are:
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491)
Skilled Regional Sponsored Visa (Subclass 489)
a. Family-Sponsored
b. State Regional SponsoredSkilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
As you can see, there are different types of GSM Visas, choosing the right one will be essential to the success of your application. Consult us at UIS Australia so we can help you get the visa most appropriate to your situation and needs.
Providing Your Basic Information
Upon application for the GSM Visa, you will be required to provide varying information about yourself depending on the specific type of visa you are eligible for. This information will be under the Expression Of Interest (EOI) that you will submit as part of the application process. Below are some of the information that is commonly required:
Basic personal information
Work experience information
Qualification documents
English Language Ability information (such as TOEFL or IELTS)
Details of skills assessment related to your occupation
Keep in mind that a skills assessment is mandatory and a non-negotiable part of the visa application. The assessment is only valid for 3 years from the date of issuance unless a shorter validity period is explicitly specified.
Working Holiday Visa – Subclass 417
There are three types of Working Holiday Visas in Australia, namely:
1st Working Holiday Visa
This specific type lets individuals aged 18 to 30 years old (inclusive), as well as Canadian, Irish, and French citizens ages 18 to 35 years (inclusive) have their initial extended holiday in the country and work there to help fund the trip.
2nd Working Holiday Visa
This specific type lets individuals aged 18 to 30 years old, as well as Canadian, Irish, and French citizens aged 18 to 35 years old who currently hold, or have previously held a Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417), have a second working holiday in Australia.
3rd Working Holiday Visa
This specific type lets individuals aged 18 to 30 years old, as well as Canadian, Irish, and French citizens aged 18 to 35 years old who currently hold, or have previously held a Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417), have a third working holiday in Australia.
Common Requirements for the Working Holiday Visas
While the Visa has differing types of Visas depending on the individual, they share some common application requirements, such as;
You must be in possession of a passport from an eligible country or jurisdiction
You must be eligible to do any kind of work while in Australia
All three types allow eligible individuals to stay for a maximum of twelve months in Australia.
Choosing the Right Kind of Visa
It is important to know your options for Australia immigration and visa types. As such, we recommend that you employ our services at UIS Australia to expedite the process of applying for a COVID-19 Visa Australia.
